Thrissur Pooram

Thrissur Pooram, a festival of colour, light, drumming, splendid display of fireworks and caparisoned elephant , falls during the month of April/May every year. It is one of the most vibrant and exciting festivals of Kerala. The festival of Thrissur Pooram in Kerala got its name from the city of Thrissur or Trichur where the festival takes place. The word 'Pooram' literally means 'a group or a meeting'. It is a belief that every year the gods and goddesses of the neighbouring province meet each other for a day of celebration.

One of the most awaited Kerala Festivals, Thrissur Pooram is an annually celebrated event and was pioneered by the Maharaja of Kochi state. The festival involves a procession of caparisoned elephants, which comes from various neighbouring temples. The festival is a major draw for the Kerala tours when tourists come to see the mighty elephants, the passionate drum concerts and the spectacular firework displays.

Thrissur Pooram is celebrated by two adversaries representing the two divisions of Thiruvambadi and Thrissur Paramekkavu. The two competing temples display new decorations and parasols on the elephants. The elephants row up side by side, brilliant ceremonial umbrellas bloom over their elephant, flanked by the drummers who exhibit rhythmic exactness. Between two rows of elephants stand the orchestras reaching their climax. The temple festival begins early in the morning with the procession of the elephants and lasts through the day and into the night. The darkness brings with it a brilliant display of fireworks.

Another highlight is the beating of drums called Panchavadyam which terminates on the following morning. This spectacle is the end of an eight-day festival of nine temples in Thrissur. People from all the religion and caste participate in the Thrissur Pooram, which is also known as the Temple Festival of Kerala, not to be missed by anyone on an India Tour.